Undergraduate Programs Quicklinks
Suggested Frosh Academic Plans
Biology BS
Be sure to take all of your major requirement courses for a letter grade. Remember that you need to complete the qualification courses by your 5th quarter so you can petition to declare your major in your 6th quarter.
Scroll down to find all four academic planners and choose the plan that fits your math placement level.
Click the ‘make a copy for your Google Drive’ button below each plan to copy all four academic planners and major checklist to your Drive.
GE = General Education requirement course. Remember to add your General Education requirements to your plan.
ME = Major Exploration are courses to include in your academic plan to explore other majors/minors you might be interested in.
Plan 1: For students placing into MATH 2
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Please keep in mind MCD Biology’s Course Substitution and Transfer Credit Policy: BIOL 20A, BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 105, and BIOL 110 must be completed at UCSC.
Plan 2: For students placing into MATH 3
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Please keep in mind MCD Biology’s Course Substitution and Transfer Credit Policy: BIOL 20A, BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 105, and BIOL 110 must be completed at UCSC.
Plan 3: For students placing into MATH 11A/16A/19A
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Please keep in mind MCD Biology’s Course Substitution and Transfer Credit Policy: BIOL 20A, BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 105, and BIOL 110 must be completed at UCSC.
Plan 4: Alternate to Plan 3
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Please keep in mind MCD Biology’s Course Substitution and Transfer Credit Policy: BIOL 20A, BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 105, and BIOL 110 must be completed at UCSC.
Biology BS four-year checklist (2025-2026)
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* Your DC requirement is satisfied by the completion of 2 BIOE courses and their accompanying labs or 1 BIOL lab. Your Senior Exit requirement is satisfied by completing one lab or field course (BIOE or BIOL course identified with an “L”) in addition to BIOL 101L.
Visit the MCD Biology Academic Planning webpage to see the checklist for your major for specific courses that will meet these requirements.
Do you need assistance in developing your academic plan? Visit How to Contact MCD Advising for options on meeting with an advisor.